Blower Instrument, Apparatus and Methods of Using

ABSTRACT

A surgical blower for providing a directed stream to clear a surgical site, that can be used in multiple different use modes. In one use mode, the surgical blower is handheld by a user during operation. In another mode, a distal end portion of the blower is fixed to a foot of a stabilizer instrument and the handle of the blower is handheld. In another mode, a distal end portion of the blower is fixed to a foot of a stabilizer instrument and the handle of the blower is fixed to a stationary object such as a sternal retractor. In another mode, the distal end of the blower is free and the handle of the blower is fixed to a stationary object. An apparatus including a blower and a stabilizer is provided. Methods of using the blower as well as the apparatus are also provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to surgical instruments, andmore particularly to a versatile surgical apparatus for providing adirected stream of gas and/or fluid to a surgical site to improvevisibility, wherein the apparatus can be used alone or combined withanother surgical instrument and/or mounted to a fixed structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A difficult aspect of many surgical procedures is obtaining andmaintaining clear and unobstructed visibility at the surgical site.Accordingly, the instruments and fixtures used in a surgical setting aremeticulously designed and selected to ensure that the surgeons haveoptimum visual access to the surgical site. In most instances,irrigation and suction are used in one form or another to wash away andremove unwanted or undesirable material, fluids, or other particulates.In prolonged surgical procedures, irrigation is also useful inpreventing the deleterious effects of tissue desiccation.

Visibility requirements are particularly acute when the surgery involvesparticularly delicate or small structures, such as those routinelyencountered in vascular or neurological surgery. In a vascularanastomosis procedure, for example, even small amounts of fluid or othermaterial can significantly affect the surgeon's view of the anastomoticsite. Blood flow from the surrounding tissues or from the vesselsthemselves is particularly problematic for visualization of the surgicalsite during an anastomosis. In such procedures, standard liquidirrigation alone is often ineffective for clearing the surgical site.

Instruments using a directed gas or fluid stream to obtain a clear viewof the surgical site are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,336,170 toSalerno et al. discloses a surgical site visualization wand which has afluid delivery conduit having a fan shaped tip for delivering apressurized gas to a target site. The visualization wand may also have ahumidification or moisturizing conduit for the selective introduction ofa sterile liquid in the form of a mist carried by and intermixed withthe gas stream to the target site. Such arrangements tend to have theimproved ability to blow away fluid or debris without desiccatingtissue. U.S. Pat. No. 5,336,170 is hereby incorporated herein in itsentirety, by reference thereto. Directed stream visualizationinstruments such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,336,170 arecumbersome to operate, offering inadequate gas and liquid flow control.If the flow rate of the gas supply is too low, it will not adequatelyclear the targeted site of undesired material. If the gas stream isdelivered at an excessive flow rate or pressure it tends to cause acertain amount of spattering of the cleared material and may displace ordamage the delicate tissue structures under operation. If the flow rateof the liquid is too high it may over-irrigate the site; too low and thesurrounding tissue may become desiccated.

The directed stream blower disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,577 providesa flow controller directly on the handle of the instrument forconvenient one-handed operation during use. U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,577 ishereby incorporated herein in its entirety, by reference thereto. Thedirected stream blower instrument of U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,577 however,like the instrument disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,577, is a standalone instrument that must be individually handheld, independent ofother instruments that may be required for the surgical procedure.Typically, a directed stream instrument of this type is held by asurgical assistant, who must then frequently communicate with thesurgeon to coordinate position of a blower mister stream, as needed, inthe locations needed, at the times needed, and at the flowrates/pressures needed. Additionally, the extra space taken up by theperson holding the directed stream instrument and/or the additionalspace required by the separate instrument itself may be deleterious,especially in instances where the surgical working space is already verylimited.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,994,669 discloses a blower that is removably attachableto another surgical instrument at a distal end portion thereof. However,it appears that a proximal end portion of the blower still needs to beheld by an operator, which would thereby require an occupation of anadditional hand, whether that of the surgeon or a surgeon's assistant.Additionally, the direction of the blower stream does not appear to beadjustable.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,056,287 discloses a blower mounted on a distal endportion of another surgical instrument wherein the blower is adjustablevia a malleable tube that includes the lumen through which pressurizedgas is delivered. However, this blower is not removable from theadditional surgical instrument. Also, bending of the malleable tube cancause kinking, which can adversely affect the flow characteristics ofthe pressurized gas through the malleable tube.

In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a blowermister instrument that is more versatile than those of the prior art,that can be used as a standalone instrument, or alternatively can becombined with another instrument, and which may even be used in stillfurther additional operating configurations. It would further bedesirable to provide a blower mister instrument that has the capabilityof changing and controlling a direction in which pressurized fluids areemitted from a distal tip of the instrument, wherein lumens throughwhich the fluids are delivered are formed by conduits that do notreadily kink and are not malleable. Still further it would be desirableto provide a blower mister instrument wherein a length from the distaltip to the handle of the instrument is adjustable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides a surgical blowerincluding an elongated, flexible tube having a lumen extendingtherethrough; and an attachment member at a distal end portion of theblower, the attachment member being configured and dimensioned forreleasable attachment to a mating member of a stabilizer instrument.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a surgical blowerinstrument for providing a directed stream to clear a surgical site. Inat least one embodiment the instrument includes an elongated flexibletube having a first lumen extending therethrough; a malleable shaftextending alongside at least a distal portion of the elongated flexible,tube; and a handle, wherein at least a portion of the flexible,elongated tube extends through the handle and the flexible, elongatedtube extends distally of the handle.

In at least one embodiment, the elongated flexible tube is anon-malleable tube.

In at least one embodiment, the elongated flexible tube comprises asecond lumen, the second lumen being separate and independent of thefirst lumen.

In at least one embodiment, the tube is a first tube and a second tubeis provided with a second lumen, wherein the second tube extends withinthe first lumen of the first tube.

In at least one embodiment, the elongated, flexible tube comprises afirst tube, the blower fluffier comprising a second tube comprising asecond elongated, flexible tube, the second tube comprising a secondlumen extending therethrough.

In at least one embodiment, the blower comprises a distal tip, whereinthe distal ends of the first and second tubes are in fluid communicationwith the distal tip.

In at least one embodiment, the blower instrument includes a distal tip,wherein the tube is in fluid communication with the distal tip.

In at least one embodiment, the blower instrument includes an attachmentmember adjacent the distal tip, the attachment member being configuredand dimensioned to attach to a mating member on a stabilizer instrument.

In at least one embodiment, the mating member is on a foot of thestabilizer instrument.

In at least one embodiment, the attachment member comprises a post.

In at least one embodiment, a sleeve extends distally from a distal endof the handle, and the elongated, flexible tube and the malleable shaftextend within the sleeve.

In at least one embodiment, at least the elongated, flexible tube isextendible beyond a distal end of the sleeve, to increase a distancebetween a distal end of the tube and a distal end of the sleeve.

In at least one embodiment, the blower instrument includes a clipconfigured and dimensioned to attach to a stationary object.

In at least one embodiment, the clip is configured and dimensioned toattach to a sternal retractor.

In at least one embodiment, the clip is longitudinally adjustablerelative to the handle, to vary a distance that a distal end of theblower extends beyond the clip.

In at least one embodiment, the blower instrument comprises a flowadjustment mechanism connected to the flexible, elongated tube andadjustable to change a flow property of fluid through the lumen.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for usein performing surgical procedures, the apparatus including: a surgicalblower instrument for providing a directed stream to clear a surgicalsite, the blower comprising an elongated flexible tube having a lumenextending therethrough and an engagement member at a distal end portionof the blower, and a stabilizer instrument comprising a shaft; and afoot coupled to a distal end of the shaft, the foot including a matingmember; the engagement member being configured and dimensioned forengagement with the mating member.

In at least one embodiment, the engagement member is configured anddimensioned for releasable attachment to the mating member.

In at least one embodiment, the flexible tube is non-malleable.

In at least one embodiment, the foot extends generally along a directionof a longitudinal axis of the foot, wherein the engagement member andthe mating member, when attached, maintain a distal tip of the blower ata predefined, non-parallel angle relative the plane along which thecontact surface of the contact member generally extends, while allowingrotation of the distal tip about an axis perpendicular to the plane.

In at least one embodiment, the blower further comprises a handle at aproximal end portion thereof, the flexible tube and the engagementmember being extendible to increase a distance thereof from the handle.

In at least one embodiment, the foot includes a plurality of the matingmembers each located at relatively different locations on the foot.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a stabilizerinstrument comprising a shaft and a foot coupled to a distal end of theshaft, the foot including a mating member.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a stabilizerinstrument for stabilizing a portion of a tissue surface during asurgical procedure, the instrument including: an elongated shaft, a footcoupled to a distal end of the shaft and a connector mechanism at aproximal end portion of the stabilizer instrument, the connectormechanism configured to fix the instrument to a stationary object; thefoot including a mating member configured to releasably mate with anattachment member on a distal end portion of a blower instrument, themating member being configured and dimensioned for releasable attachmentto the attachment member.

In at least one embodiment, the foot includes a plurality of the matingmembers each located at relatively different locations on the foot.

In at least one embodiment, the shaft is flexible in a first, unlockedconfiguration, and rigid in a second, locked configuration.

In at least one embodiment, the foot extends generally along a directionof a longitudinal axis of the foot, wherein the attachment member andthe mating member, when attached, maintain a distal tip of the blower ata non-parallel angle relative to the plane along which the contactsurface of the contact member generally extends, while allowing rotationof the distal tip about an axis perpendicular to the plane.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a surgical blower forproviding a directed stream to clear a surgical site, wherein the blowerincludes: an elongated flexible tube having a lumen extendingtherethrough; a handle, wherein at least a portion of the flexible tubeextends through the handle and the flexible tube extends distally andproximally of the handle; a clip configured and dimensioned to attachthe blower to a stationary object; and an attachment member at a distalend portion of the blower, the attachment member being configured anddimensioned for releasable attachment to a mating member of anotherinstrument; wherein the flexible tube and the attachment member areextendible to increase a distance thereof from the handle.

In at least one embodiment, the clip is longitudinally adjustablerelative to the handle, to vary a distance that a distal end of theblower extends beyond the clip.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method offacilitating a surgical procedure, the method including: stabilizing aportion of a tissue surface with a stabilizer instrument, wherein theportion includes a surgical target location; attaching a distal endportion of a blower to a foot of the stabilizer instrument; anddirecting fluid to the surgical target location.

In at least one embodiment, the method further includes attaching aproximal end portion of the blower to a stationary object other than thestabilizer instrument.

In at least one embodiment, the attachment of the proximal end portionincludes attaching the proximal end portion to a surgical retractor.

In at least one embodiment, the method includes rotating the distal endportion to redirect a flow of the fluid.

In at least one embodiment, the method further includes detaching thedistal end portion from the foot and retracting the distal end portionto reduce a distance between the distal end portion and a proximal endof the blower.

In at least one embodiment, the method includes detaching the proximalend portion and hand holding the proximal end portion.

In at least one embodiment, the method includes detaching the distal endportion from the foot and operating the blower as a handheld instrument.

In at least one embodiment, the method includes retracting the distalend portion to reduce a distance between the distal end portion and aproximal end of the blower.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of operatinga surgical blower instrument, the method including: fixing a proximalend portion of the blower instrument to a stationary object; adjustingthe blower instrument to vary a distance from a distal end of the blowerinstrument to a location where the blower instrument is fixed to thestationary object and flowing fluid out of a distal end of the blowerinstrument.

In at least one embodiment, the adjusting comprises extending a tube outof a distal end of a sheath that the tube passes through.

In at least one embodiment, the adjusting comprises sliding a handle ofthe instrument relative to a clip used to perform the fixing a proximalend portion.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a stabilizer foot foruse in a stabilizer instrument for stabilizing a portion of a tissuesurface during a surgical procedure, wherein the foot includes: acontact member having a contact surface adapted to contact the portionof the tissue to be stabilized; and a mating member configured toreleasably mate with an attachment member on a distal end portion of ablower instrument, the mating member being configured and dimensionedfor releasable attachment to the attachment member.

In at least one embodiment, the foot comprises a fitting adapted toattach to a shaft of the stabilizer instrument.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an assembly for use ina surgical procedure, wherein the assembly includes: a surgical blowertip releasably attached to a stabilizer foot; an attachment memberconnected to and extending from the surgical blower tip; the stabilizerfoot comprising a mating member; the attachment member being releasablyattached to the mating member.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an assembly for use ina surgical procedure, wherein the assembly includes: a surgical blowertip releasably attached to a stabilizer foot.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for usein performing surgical procedures, wherein the apparatus includes: astabilizer instrument comprising a foot having a contact member with acontact surface adapted to contact tissue to perform a stabilizingfunction; and a surgical blower instrument mounted to the stabilizerinstrument and configured to provide a directed stream to clear asurgical site, the blower instrument comprising at least one nozzle andthe blower instrument being configured for fluid communication with asource of fluid to deliver the fluid out of the at least one nozzle;wherein the blower instrument is user adjustable to change a pattern ofspray delivered from the at least one nozzle to a surgical site adjacentthe contact member.

In at least one embodiment, the surgical blower instrument comprises atube, the at least one nozzle formed through a wall thereof.

In at least one embodiment, the tube is rotatable about a longitudinalaxis thereof, relative to the contact member.

In at least one embodiment, the tube is axially translatable relative tothe contact member.

In at least one embodiment, an actuator is connected to the tube andconfigured to facilitate movement of the tube by a user of theapparatus.

In at least one embodiment, a hood extends along a length of the contactmember, the hood including a slot along a length thereof.

In at least one embodiment, the hood is configured and dimensioned toreceive the tube therein, wherein the tube is rotatable with the hood toalign the at least one nozzle with the slot thereby allowing delivery ofspray through the slot, the tube being further rotatable to position theat least one nozzle out of alignment with the slot thereby preventingdelivery of spray through the slot.

In at least one embodiment, the surgical blower instrument is mounted tothe stabilizer instrument via a rigid post, the surgical blowerinstrument comprising a malleable distal portion having the at least onenozzle at a distal end thereof, wherein the malleable distal portion ismanipulatable by a user to hold a desired configuration that causes theat least one nozzle to be pointed in a desired direction andorientation.

In at least one embodiment, an actuator is mounted to the shaft in fluidcommunication with the at least one nozzle, wherein the actuator isoperable to prevent spray from flowing through the at least one nozzlein a first configuration, and to allow spray to flow through the atleast one nozzle in a second configuration.

These and other features of the invention will become apparent to thosepersons skilled in the art upon reading the details of the instruments,apparatus, assemblies and methods as more fully described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blower instrument according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the instrument of FIG. 1 takenalong line 2A-2A.

FIGS. 2B-2C are alternative embodiments of what is shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 illustrates the malleable nature of the shaft of the blowerinstrument shown.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of a handle and clip of a blowerinstrument according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an embodiment of an incrementalpositioning mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates the ability of the distal tip of the blowerinstrument to be extended distally away from the shaft according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows an apparatus comprising a blower instrument and astabilizer instrument according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a configuration of attachment memberand mating member to maintain a distal tip/nozzle of the blowerinstrument at a predefined, non-parallel angle relative to thestabilizer foot.

FIG. 9 illustrates one or more flow control mechanisms that may beprovided with a blower instrument according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 10A shows an alternative embodiment of an attachment memberprovided on a blower device distal tip according to the presentinvention.

10B shows mating members provided on a stabilizer foot.

FIGS. 11A-11B show another alternative embodiment of an attachmentmember provided on a blower device distal tip according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 11C shows mating members provided on a stabilizer foot.

FIG. 12 illustrates a blower instrument mounted to a stabilizerinstrument according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates an end view of the top contact member shown in FIG.12.

FIGS. 14A-14D illustrate various configurations of a tube relative to ahood according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates a blower instrument mounted to a stabilizerinstrument according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 16A-16B are cross-sectional illustrations showing variations inconfigurations of lumens within the blower instrument of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before the present instruments, apparatuses and methods are described,it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particularembodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to belimiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited onlyby the appended claims.

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that eachintervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lowerlimits of that range is also specifically disclosed. Each smaller rangebetween any stated value or intervening value in a stated range and anyother stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassedwithin the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller rangesmay independently be included or excluded in the range, and each rangewhere either, neither or both limits are included in the smaller rangesis also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specificallyexcluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes oneor both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those includedlimits are also included in the invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used inthe practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methodsand materials are now described. All publications mentioned herein areincorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methodsand/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, thesingular forms “a, “an”, and the include plural referents unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “alumen” includes a plurality of such lumens and reference to the tube”includes reference to one or more tubes and equivalents thereof known tothose skilled in the art, and so forth.

The publications discussed herein are provided solely for theirdisclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothingherein is to be construed as an admission that the present invention isnot entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention.Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from theactual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.

Definitions

The term “malleable” as used herein refers to a material propertywherein the material plastically deforms under the forces appliedthereto for the normal use of the material being described. For example,a tube or conduit that is malleable and is bent by hand, plasticallydeforms to retain the bent shape after the hand of the person performingthe bending no longer contacts the tube or conduit. A “non-malleable”tube or conduit, in contrast, does not maintain the bent shape after thepersons hand no longer contacts it, but either elastically returns toits original, pre-bent shape, or at least remains flexible, so that thebent shape is not maintained.

Instruments, Apparatus and Methods

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals indicate likeelements, the present invention includes a blower instrument, whichtypically provides blower and mister functions and is configured todeliver a stream of pressurized fluid from a distal tip of theinstrument. The fluid delivered may be gas or liquid or both, and istypically both, combining a pressurized gas such as carbon dioxide withan atomized liquid such as saline. The blower instrument is useful forremoving unwanted materials from a surgical site, thus improving thevisibility at the surgical site.

The blower instrument of the present invention is very versatile, inthat it may be used in many different modes of use. In at least oneembodiment, the blower instrument may be used in a handheld mode whereit is handheld by the user and the stream is directed by the user.Another mode of use involves fixing a proximal end portion of theinstrument to a stationary object, which may be, but is not limited toan arm of a sternal retractor, and the distal end of the instrument canbe manipulated to direct the fluid flow in the desired direction, afterwhich, the user no longer needs to handle the instrument unless anduntil the direction of the delivered fluid needs to be changed and/orthe flow characteristics of the fluid need to be changed. Another modeof use and also other embodiments involve attaching a distal tip of theblower instrument to a foot or crosspiece of a stabilizer instrument. Inat least one embodiment, this mode can be used together with fixing theproximal end portion of the blower instrument to a stationary object, ortogether with holding the proximal end portion of the blower instrumentby hand, or the instrument can be simply laid down on a surface withoutfixing it thereto. In at least one embodiment, one or more openings ornozzles of the instrument may be both rotationally and translationally(axially) adjusted relative to a foot of a stabilizer.

In at least one embodiment, the blower instrument includes an extendibletube that allows the distal tip, where the fluid stream is ejected, tobe extended to increase its distance from the handle of the instrument,or retracted, to decrease its distance from the handle.

In at least one embodiment, the blower instrument also includes thecapability of controlling the amount of flow of fluid out the distal endthereof. Various flow control mechanisms are described.

A stabilizer instrument is provided that includes a stabilizer footmounted to a distal end of a shaft or arm. Typically, the stabilizerinstrument is provided with a mounting structure at a proximal endportion thereof that is configured to mount the stabilizer instrument toa stationary object such as a sternal retractor. The foot of thestabilizer instrument includes at least one mating member configured toreleasably mate with an attachment member on the distal end portion ofthe blower instrument.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blower instrument 10 according to anembodiment of the present invention. Blower instrument 10 includes anelongated, flexible, non-malleable tube 12 having at least one lumenextending therethrough for delivery of fluid from a fluid source (e.g.,pressurized gas source 90 and/or liquid source 92) connected thereto,through the instrument 10 and out of a distal tip 14. One non-limitingexample of a gas provided by pressurized gas source 90 is medical gradecarbon dioxide. One non-limiting example of a liquid provided by liquidsource 92 is sterile saline.

Tube 12 extends through instrument 10 as shown in FIG. 1. Tube 12extends proximally of handle 16, through handle 16, and distally throughflexible sheath 18 to extend at least flush with and typically distallyof the distal end of sheath 18. Flexible sheath 18 may be made fromflexible polymers, elastomers in mesh or solid sheet configuration, aseither a metallic or polymeric spring or combination thereof, etc.Optionally, the distal end of tube 12 may be fixed to a removable nozzle20 to form the distal tip of instrument 10. If nozzle 20 is notemployed, the distal end of tube 12 (or multiple tubes, in otherembodiments, as described in more detail below) forms the distal tip ofinstrument 10. Flexible sheath 18 extends distally of handle 16 to thedistal end portion of the instrument 10. Flexible sheath 18 isnon-malleable and houses tube 12 (and optionally, an additional tube),as well as malleable rod 22 (e.g., see FIGS. 2A-2C) that runs alongsidetube 12. Malleable rod 22 may be made from aluminum, or stainless steelor other material that is malleable when formed in the shape of anelongated rod and is useable in medical instrumentation. Accordingly,the shaft 24 of instrument 10 bounded by sheath 18 is malleable and canbe manipulated by hand to bend in any direction or multiple directions,so as to orient the tip 14 of the instrument to direct a stream of fluidtoward a desired target, at the appropriate angle, etc.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of instrument 10 of FIG. 1, takenalong line 2A-2A. In this embodiment, a single tube 12 is employed thathas two lumens 24, 26, one for delivery of the pressurized gastherethrough, and the other for deliver of liquid therethrough. Thepressurized gas and liquid are combined at the distal tip 14 of thedevice 10 so that the liquid is atomized and delivered in a streamtogether with the pressurized gas.

FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of an alternate arrangement inwhich two tubes 12, 13 are used to form the lumens 24 and 26,respectively. Tube 13 extends through the lumen 24 of tube 12 in thisembodiment. Further alternatively, FIG. 2C shows an embodiment in whichtubes 12, 13 are provided to run side by side of one another. In eithercase, tube 13 may be fixed to tube 12, such as by gluing, heat welding,etc., or tubes 12 and 13 may be unfixed along the lengths thereof andjoined only at the distal tip 14, either by connection to nozzle 20, orby joining the distal end portions of tube 12 and 13 together without anozzle.

Malleable rod 22 may be fixed to the inner wall of sheath 18 so that itis prevented from translating relative to sheath 18. Alternatively,malleable rod 22 may be fixed to tube 12 (or to both tubes 12 and 13)and not fixed to sheath 18, so that when tube 12 (or tubes 12, 13)is/are extended beyond the distal end of sheath 18 (as described infurther detail below), malleable rod 22 extends with tube 12 (or tubes12, 13) so that the extended portion of the tube(s) may be held in adesired orientation by manipulation of the malleable rod 22. If rod 22is fixed to sheath 18, then the extended portion of tube 12 (or tubes 12and 13) beyond the distal end of sheath 18 is/are flexible and does/donot retain an orientation that it is manipulated to, absent some otherform of fixation, since tubes 12 and 13 are non-malleable, typicallybeing made of polyurethane or some other flexible, non-malleableplastic.

FIG. 3 shows the blower instrument 10 after it has been manipulated tobend the instrument shaft 24. As can be seen, the shaft 24 retains thebent shape even with no external forces applied thereto, due to themalleable nature of rod 22 contained therein. Instrument 10 isadditionally provided with a clip 30 slidably configured relative tohandle 16. FIG. 3 shows clip 30 slid to its proximal most positionrelative to handle 16. Clip 30 is configured to be fixed to a stationaryobject, so that instrument 10 can be mounted to the stationary object sothat it need not be handheld during operation. In the embodiment shown,clip 30 is configured to clip onto a rail of a sternal retractor to fixthe instrument to an arm of the sternal retractor. An example of such arail configuration is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,912,which is hereby incorporated herein, in its entirety, by referencethereto. Alternatively, clip 30 may be configured to readily fix toother stationary objects, such as the crossbar of a surgical retractoror other stationary object.

Clip 30 is longitudinally slidable relative (along the directions of thearrows shown in FIG. 4) to handle 16 along a slot 32 provided in handle16, see FIG. 4. Slot 32 may be configured and dimensioned to form afriction fit with clip 30 that can be overcome by manual force, butwherein the clip 30 retains its position relative to handle 16 afterrelease of that force, so that it maintains a desired relative positionduring use of the instrument 10 fixed to a stationary object.Alternatively, an incremental positioning mechanism 34 may be providedbetween clip 30 and handle 16 that allows longitudinal movements of clip30 relative to handle 16, but which retains the relative positionsthereof at defined increments along slot 32, wherein the definedincrements require more force to bypass than is typically experiencedduring use of the instrument 10 when it is attached to a stationaryobject via clip 30. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the incrementalpositioning mechanism 34 includes a rack of ratchet teeth 36 and clip 30includes a pawl 38 that rests at positions between the teeth, e.g., seethe schematic illustration of FIG. 5. Alternative incrementalpositioning mechanisms 34 that may be employed include, but are notlimited to: a detent mechanism comprising a series of sockets or holesin slot 32 and a retractable ball on clip 30 or a series of retractableballs along slot 32 and a socket or hole in clip 30. By slidablyadjusting the position of clip 30 relative to handle 16 in any of themanners described, the user is able to vary the distance 40 (see FIG. 1)that the distal tip 14 extends from clip 30, thus varying the distancethat tip 14 extends away from a stationary object that clip 30 is fixedto.

Referring again to FIG. 1, blower instrument 10 is provided with anattachment member 42 proximally adjacent the distal tip 14 (as inFIG. 1) or, alternatively, directly affixed to distal tip 14. Attachmentmember 42 is configured and dimensioned to attach to a mating member ona stabilizer instrument, described in greater detail below. As shown,attachment member 42 comprises a post that extends outwardly, transverseto the longitudinal axis of the distal tip 14, tube(s) and, optionallynozzle 20. Alternative forms of attachment member 42 may be substituted,together with alternative forms of mating member. For example,attachment member 42 may be a clamp, rod with detent member, etc.

Attachment member 42 may be attached to the mating member on the foot ofa stabilizer instrument even while instrument 10 is in the configurationshown in FIG. 1. However, in order to reduce obstruction, provide moreworking space in the vicinity of the stabilizer foot and/or enable theblower instrument 10 to be fixed to a stationary object or handheld froma further distance or simply laid down on a surface further away fromthe stabilizer foot, distal tip 14 can be extended distally away fromshaft 18 as illustrated in FIG. 6. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, thebends in the portion of the tubing shown extending from the sheath 18between sheath 18 and distal tip 14 is flexible and this will not hold apreconfigured bend. However, when attachment member 42 is fixed to astabilizer foot, then the direction of flow through the distal tip 14can be controlled as described below. Optionally, malleable rod 22 mayextend with tube 12 as illustrated by phantom lines in FIG. 6. In thiscase, the bends shown can be maintained by the malleable property of therod 22 as it is bent with the tube 12 and thus tip 14 can be used in theconfiguration shown, without attaching it to a stabilizer foot and withassurance that the orientation of the tip will be maintained by themalleable property of the extended rod 22.

Distal tip 14 can be maintained in the configuration (non-extendedconfiguration) shown in FIG. 1 by forming a friction fit with the distalend 18 d of the shaft 18 for example. Alternatively, the friction fitcan be replaced by screw threads, bayonet fitting, or numerous otherequivalent temporary fixation mechanisms. Also, when the tip isextracted and extends distally from the distal end of the sheath 18 viatubing 12 as shown in FIG. 6, frictional resistance between the tubingand the distal end portion of sheath 18 maintains the tubing 12 in theposition it is left in relative to sheath 18, until tubing 12 is pushedback into the sheath 18 or extracted further from the sheath 18. FIG. 6further illustrates clip 30 fixed to a stationary object 44 (sternalretractor arm, in this instance).

FIG. 7 shows an apparatus comprising a blower instrument 10 and anexemplary stabilizer instrument 100 with the distal tip 14 of the blowerinstrument having been temporarily attached to the stabilizer foot 120.Tip 14/nozzle 20 can be extended distally from the sheath 18 by adistance up to about six to about twelve inches, although this maximumdistance may vary. Of course, tip 14/nozzle 20 can also be extended bydistances less than the maximum extendible distance. It is noted herethat the stabilizer 100 shown is only one example of a stabilizerinstrument that can be used to carry out the present invention and is inno way limiting, as there are numerous other stabilizer instruments thatcould be substituted, as long as the foot of the stabilizer foot isconfigured to temporarily mate with the distal tip of the blowerinstrument. As such, the stabilizer foot needs to include at least onemating member 46 as described herein.

As shown, stabilizer instrument 100 is adapted to be mounted to asternal retractor assembly for performing a mid-sternal surgicalprocedure on the beating heart, although the present invention is notlimited to such an application, as described above. Stabilizer 100includes an elongated shaft or arm 130 which may be rigid, or which mayhave a flexible, unlocked configuration and a rigid, lockedconfiguration, as shown. In the example shown, shaft/arm 130 is amulti-jointed device which provides the flexibility needed to reach lessdirect surfaces of the heart from the incision opening. A connectormechanism 140 is connected to a proximal end of shaft/arm 130 and isconfigured to fix the stabilizer 100 to a stationary object such as asternal retractor. The stabilizer instrument 100 may be fixed to othertypes of stationary objects rather than a sternal retractor. Actuator150 is provided to change states of arm 130 between flexible and rigid,and may also be configured to fix and release connector 140 to and froma stationary object.

A stabilizer foot 120 is coupled to the distal end of shaft/arm 130 viaa fitting 124. The configuration of the fitting may vary. In the exampleshown in FIG. 7, the fitting 124 includes a shaft 124 s and a ball 124 b(shown in phantom lines) that mates in a socket in the end of arm 130.Stabilizer foot 120 is adapted to contact the heart adjacent the sitedesired to be stabilized. Foot 120 includes at least one contact member122 and has a pair of contact members 122 in the embodiment shown inFIG. 7. Each contact member 122 has a contact surface adapted to contacttissue to stabilize the tissue. The contact surface of each contactmember 122 may be substantially planar, or slightly curved to conform tothe shape of the heart, or one or more may have a non-conforming curveto establish a contact between only a portion of the contact surface ofthe contact member 122 and the beating heart. The shape of the contactmember(s) 122 and the foot 120 may be varied depending on the clinicalassessment by the surgeon, the design of the remainder of the stabilizer100, and/or the design of other instruments to be used to complete theanastomosis

Stabilizer foot 120 includes at least one mating member 46. Theembodiment of FIG. 7 includes four mating members 46. Each mating memberis configured and dimensioned to releasably attach to attachment member42 of blower instrument 10. In the embodiment shown, attachment member42 is a post and mating member 46 is a hole or socket having a diameterconfigured to form a friction fit with post 42. Accordingly, uponinserting post 42 into hole or socket 46, tip 14 is fixed relative tofoot 120. However, a user can rotate the tip 14/nozzle 20 withoutbreaking the connection between attachment member 42 and mating member46 using manual force. The friction fit provides sufficient resistanceto prevent tip 14/nozzle 20 from rotating relative to foot 120 duringuse, absent manually applied torque. Alternative types of attachmentmembers and mating members may be substituted as already noted above.However, the temporary attachments provided by such alternativeattachment members and mating members should function similarly to theembodiment described herein.

Attachment member 42 extends from distal tip 14/nozzle 20 at an anglethat maintains the orientation of the distal tip 14/nozzle 20 at apredefined angle relative to the plane that the contact member 122generally extends along, so that the distal tip is oriented non-parallelto the plane. FIG. 8 schematically illustrates this feature. Theattachment member 42 and mating member 46 are oriented to the distal tip14/nozzle 20 and to the contact member 122 or other portion of foot 120in a configuration that maintains angulation of the distal tip 14/nozzle20 relative to the plane 48 along which the contact surface 122 sgenerally extends at a constant angle 50. In the example of FIG. 8,angle 50 is about seventy degrees. However, the attachment members maybe oriented to as to maintain a predefined angle that is selected from arange of about fifty-five degrees to about eighty-five degrees. In anycase, rotation about an axis perpendicular to the plane 48 is permittedwhile angle 50 is maintained. Phantom lines in FIG. 8 show analternative embodiment of contact member 122′ that has a contouredcontact surface 122 s′ to generally follow the curvature of a heartsurface. However, the contact surface 122 s′ is still considered togenerally extend in plane 48. The longitudinal axis 52 of the contactmember 120 is also considered to be parallel to the plane 48.

Further details about stabilizer instrument 100 as well as a sternalretractor that it can be mounted to (blower instrument can be mountedthereto as well, using clip 30) can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,758,808which is hereby incorporated herein, in its entirety, by referencethereto.

FIG. 9 illustrates a blower instrument according to the presentinvention wherein a flow adjustment mechanism 56 is optionally providedto control an amount/pressure of flow through one or both of lumens 24,26. As shown, a flow adjustment mechanism 56, such as a regulator, isprovided in or on tube 24T that connects, through Y-connector 54 withlumen 24 in tube 12 or 13 (FIGS. 2A-2C). Further optionally, a flowadjustment mechanism may be provided in or on tube 26T to control theflow of fluid through lumen 26. As shown, a flow adjustment mechanism isprovided (in phantom lines) on tube 26T that connects, throughY-connector 54 with lumen 26 in tube 12. Various types ofregulators/restriction mechanisms can be used to control the amount offlow through one or both lumens 24, 26. Further optionally, flowadjustment mechanism may be of a type described in U.S. Pat. No.6,168,577 and may be provided in or on handle 16.

FIG. 10A shows an alternative embodiment of attachment member 42provided on blower device distal tip 14 and FIG. 10B shows matingmembers 46 provided on stabilizer foot 120. In this embodiment,attachment member 42 is a slotted 42 s snap that forms a living hinge,so that when inserted into slot 46 s of attachment member 46, the livinghinge of the attachment member allows the arms 42 a to be compressedagainst one another to allow arms 42 a to be inserted through slot 46.When distal portions 42 b of arms 42 a have passed through slot 46 s,the living hinge elastically returns the arms 42 a to their originalconfiguration shown in FIG. 10A as the edges of slot 46 s seat ingrooves or notches 42 g, thereby securing the attachment member 42relative to stabilizer foot 120/attachment member 46. The operator canpull on attachment member 42 with manual force sufficient to cause arms42 a to be compressed together, thereby allowing attachment member 42 tobe removed from attachment member 46/slot 46 s.

FIGS. 11A-11B show another alternative embodiment of attachment member42 provided on blower device distal tip 14 and FIG. 11C shows matingmembers 46 provided on stabilizer foot 120. In this embodiment,attachment member 42 includes socket 42 a that is adapted to fit overball 46 b of mating member 46. Attachment member 42 may be slotted 42 sor otherwise configured to allow the socket 42 a to expand to receiveball 46 therein, and then to contract back to a starting configuration,so that the reduced diameter opening 42 c is less than the diameter ofthe ball 46 b and therefore prevents ball 46 b from escaping from socket42 c during normal use. Socket 42 a may form a friction fit with ball 46b to maintain the tip 14 in an orientation (e.g. including angle 50, aswell as rotational orientation about the longitudinal axis of attachmentmember 46, relative to stabilizer foot 120, but to allow manualadjustment at will of the orientation by a user. Manual removal ofattachment member 42 from attachment member 46 can also be accomplishedby hand by a user by simply pulling the tip 14 and attachment member 42off of the ball 46 b. Mating members in this case comprise a ball 46 band post 46 p.

FIG. 12 illustrates a blower instrument 10′ according to anotherembodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the working endportion of instrument 10′ is incorporated into a contact member 122 ofthe stabilizer instrument 100. The instrument 10′ includes a hood 60that extends along at least a portion of the length of the inside edgeof the contact member 122, typically along all or substantially all ofthat length, as is the case in the example shown in FIG. 12. Hood 60includes a slot 62 extending along the length thereof and configured toallow blower/mister spray to be emitted therethrough. FIG. 13 is an endview illustration of the contact member 22 having the hood 60 integratedtherewith. Slot 62 encompasses about 90 to about 150 degrees of arc(typically about 120 degrees, as shown in FIG. 13) to allow the spray tobe directed toward the surgical target area when it is located betweenthe contact members 122.

A tube 64 having a closed distal end and at least one nozzle 20′ isprovided which is configured and dimensioned to slide axially withinhood 60 as well as to rotate about its longitudinal axis relative tohood 60. An actuator 66 (e.g., lever arm, as shown, or other actuatorthat is readily manipulatable by a human user) is attached to theproximal end portion of tube 64 and is operable by a user to translateand/or rotate the tube 64. Sufficient friction exists between the tube64 and hood 60 to maintain the tube 64 in its intended position once ithas been placed there by operating actuator 66. Optionally, a frictionmember 68, such as an O-ring or the like, may be attached to the hood ator near the exit location of the tube 64, to establish additionalfriction for holding tube 64 in a desired position and orientation.

FIGS. 14A-14D illustrate partial views of blower 10′ as integrated intocontact member 122, from an inside-out view, i.e., as viewed in thedirection indicated by arrow 1114 in FIG. 12. In FIG. 14A, tube 64 hasbeen partially axially retracted, and has been rotated, relative to hood60 to align nozzles 20′ with slot 62 to enable spray to be directed outthrough nozzles 20′ and slot 62 to the surgical target area locatedbetween the two contact members 122. In FIG. 14B, tube 64 has beenrotated (using actuator 66) so that nozzles 20′ are no longer alignedwith slot 62. This effectively “turns off” the spray to the surgicaltarget area, even if the spray continues to be delivered through nozzles20′, since the nozzles 20′ are no longer pointed toward the surgicaltarget area, and because the spray is directed into the hood 60, whichmutes the spray. Optionally, the source of the spray (e.g., see 90 and92 in FIG. 1) can also be turned off to stop the spray, whether nozzles20′ are in the orientation shown in FIG. 14A or 14B. However, actuator66 alone is sufficient to effectively turn off the spray to the surgicaltarget area, making it very convenient to the surgeon to turn the sprayon or off simply by operating the actuator 66.

FIG. 14C illustrates the tube 64 having been again rotated to alignnozzles 20′ with slot 62. Additionally, actuator 66 has been sliddistally relative to contact member 122 to advance tube 64 tosubstantially fill the full length of the space of the hood 60. In thisconfiguration, the spray is delivered along a longer axial path andtherefore a relatively larger area of the surgical target area issprayed, compared to that shown in FIG. 14A. FIG. 14D illustrates thetube 64 having been rotated from its position in FIG. 14C to turn offthe spray to the surgical target area. Tube 64 has an outside diameterof about 0.100″ to about 0.150″, typically about 0.12″, and nozzles 20′are about 0.025″ to about 0.035″ in diameter at the outside surface ofthe tube 64, typically about 0.030″. The actuator 66 may be manipulatedby hand, but more often is manipulated using a pair or surgical forcepsor other grasping type surgical instrument.

The angle of spray can be adjusted by rotating tube 64, as nozzles 20′may assume different angular orientations relative to slot 62 and stillremain fully or partially aligned with slot 62. The axial location ofthe spray is adjustable by pulling the tube 64 out of the hood 60 orpushing the tube 64 further into the hood 60.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the contact members are in fluidcommunication with a source of suction provided by suction tube 132 thatapply suction through suction ports in the contact surfaces of thecontact members 122 in a known manner. Running alongside of suction tube132 (at least near the location of attachment to the working portion120) is tube 12 that is in fluid communication with tube 64 and providesgas and liquid to tube 64 in a manner as described previously, e.g.,with regard to FIG. 1. Tube 12 may includes lumens 24 and 26 in any ofthe configurations described previously. Although a malleable rod 22could be included, it is typically not needed for this embodiment.

FIG. 15 illustrates a blower instrument 10″ according to anotherembodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the working endportion of instrument 10″ is mounted on the crosspiece 123 of thestabilizer foot 120 via rigid post 70. Tube 12 is in fluid communicationwith malleable arm 72 through an opening provided through shaft 70 wherethe malleable arm 72 is mounted to shaft 70. Tube 12 is connected tosources of pressurized gas and liquid and can be configured in any ofthe manners described above. Typically, a malleable rod 22 is notincluded in tube 12, although tube 12 is not precluded from being soconfigured. Malleable arm 72 may be constructed of a double lumenplastic tube, with one lumen 724 delivering the spray and the otherlumen 726 holding a malleable rod or wire 22 as illustrated in thenon-limiting examples shown in the cross-sectional illustrations ofFIGS. 16A and 16B. In one example, lumen 724 has an inside diameter ofabout 0.030″ and malleable rod 22 has an outside diameter of about0.020″. Malleable rod or wire 22 may be made from copper, stainlesssteel, or other metal. An actuator 76 (e.g., a stopcock in the exampleshown in FIG. 15, or other valve mechanism that can be manipulated by auser to turn the spray on and off) is provided in post 70, in fluidcommunication with tube 12 and malleable arm 72/lumen 724, configured sothat an operator can turn the actuator off and stop the flow of sprayout of tip 14″/nozzle 20″, as well as turn on the spray to allow it tobe delivered out of tip 14″/nozzle 20″. Malleable arm 72 can bemanipulated by the used to change the direction of spray, angle of sprayetc. By bending the malleable arm 72 into the desired configuration tocause tip 14″/nozzle 20″ to point in a desired direction, the malleablearm retains this shape upon release of the manual force applied theretoby the operator.

While the present invention has been described with reference to thespecific embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may besubstituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of theinvention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation, material, composition of matter, process, processstep or steps, to the objective, spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

1. A surgical blower comprising: an elongated, flexible tube having alumen extending therethrough; and an attachment member at a distal endportion of said blower, said attachment member being configured anddimensioned for releasable attachment to a mating member of a stabilizerinstrument.
 2. The blower of claim 1, wherein said elongated flexibletube is a non-malleable tube, said blower further comprising: amalleable shaft extending alongside at least a distal portion of saidelongated flexible, non-malleable tube; and a handle, wherein at least aportion of said flexible tube extends through said handle and saidflexible tube extends distally and proximally of said handle.
 3. Theblower of claim 1, wherein said lumen comprises a first lumen and saidelongated, flexible, tube comprises a first tube, said blower furthercomprising a second tube comprising a second elongated, flexible tube,said second tube comprising a second lumen extending therethrough. 4.The blower of claim 1, further comprising a distal tip, wherein saidtube is in fluid communication with said distal tip, and wherein saidattachment member is adjacent said distal tip.
 5. The blower of claim 2,further comprising a sleeve extending distally from a distal end of saidhandle, and wherein said elongated, flexible, non-malleable tube andsaid malleable shaft extend within said sleeve.
 6. The blower of claim5, wherein at least said elongated, flexible, non-malleable tube isextendible beyond a distal end of said sleeve.
 7. The blower of claim 1,further comprising a clip configured and dimensioned to attach to asternal refractor.
 8. The blower of claim 7, further comprising ahandle, wherein at least a portion of said flexible tube extends throughsaid handle and said flexible tube extends distally and proximally ofsaid handle, and wherein said clip is adjustable relative to saidhandle.
 9. The blower of claim 1, further comprising a handle, whereinat least a portion of said flexible tube extends through said handle andsaid flexible tube extends distally and proximally of said handle, andwherein said flexible tube and said attachment member are extendible toincrease a distance thereof from said handle.
 10. The blower of claim 9,further comprising a clip, wherein said clip is adjustable relative tosaid handle, to vary a distance that a distal end of said blower extendsbeyond said clip.
 11. An apparatus comprising: a surgical blowerinstrument for providing a directed stream to clear a surgical site,said blower comprising an elongated flexible tube having a lumenextending therethrough and an engagement member at a distal end portionof said blower; and a stabilizer instrument comprising a shaft and afoot coupled to a distal end of the shaft, said foot including a matingmember; said engagement member being configured and dimensioned forengagement with said mating member.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11wherein said foot comprises a longitudinal axis, wherein said engagementmember and said mating member, when attached, maintain a distal tip ofsaid blower at a non-parallel angle relative to said longitudinal axis,while allowing rotation of said distal tip about an axis perpendicularto said longitudinal axis.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein saidblower further comprises a handle at a proximal end portion thereof,said flexible tube and said engagement member being extendible toincrease a distance thereof from said handle.
 14. The apparatus of claim11, comprising a plurality of said mating members each located atrelatively different locations on said foot.
 15. The apparatus of claim11, wherein said foot of said stabilizer instrument comprises a contactmember having a contact surface adapted to contact tissue to perform astabilizing function; wherein said surgical blower instrument is mountedto said stabilizer instrument, said blower instrument comprising atleast one nozzle and said blower instrument being configured for fluidcommunication with a source of fluid to deliver the fluid out of said atleast one nozzle; and wherein said blower instrument is user adjustableto change a pattern of spray delivered from said at least one nozzle toa surgical site adjacent said contact surface.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 15, wherein said at least one nozzle is formed through a wall ofsaid tube.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said tube is rotatableabout a longitudinal axis thereof, relative to said contact member. 18.The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said tube is axially translatablerelative to said contact member.
 19. The apparatus of claim 11, furthercomprising an actuator connected to said tube and configured tofacilitate movement of said tube by a user of said apparatus.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 15, further comprising a hood extending along alength of said contact member, said hood including a slot along a lengththereof.
 21. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a hoodextending along a length of said contact member, said hood configuredand dimensioned to receive said tube therein, said hood including a slotalong a length thereof, wherein said tube is rotatable within said hoodto align said at least one nozzle with said slot thereby allowingdelivery of spray through said slot, said tube being further rotatableto position said at least one nozzle out of alignment with said slotthereby preventing delivery of spray through said slot.
 22. Theapparatus of claim 15, wherein said mating member comprises a post andsaid surgical blower instrument is mounted to said stabilizer instrumentvia said post, said surgical blower instrument comprising a malleabledistal portion having said at least one nozzle at a distal end thereof,wherein said malleable distal portion is manipulatable by a user to holda desired configuration that causes said at least one nozzle to bepointed in a desired direction and orientation.
 23. The apparatus ofclaim 15, further comprising an actuator mounted to said shaft in fluidcommunication with said at least one nozzle, wherein said actuator isoperable to prevent spray from flowing through said at least one nozzlein a first configuration, and to allow spray to flow through said atleast one nozzle in a second configuration.
 24. The apparatus of claim11, wherein said engagement member is configured and dimensioned forreleasable attachment to said mating member.
 25. A stabilizer instrumentcomprising: a shaft and a foot coupled to a distal end of said shaft,said foot including a mating member.
 26. The instrument of claim 25,wherein said shaft comprises an elongated shaft, said instrument furthercomprising: a connector mechanism at a proximal end portion of saidstabilizer instrument, said connector mechanism configured to fix saidinstrument to a stationary object said mating member configured toreleasably mate with an attachment member on a distal end portion of ablower instrument, said mating member being configured and dimensionedfor releasable attachment to said attachment member.
 27. The instrumentof claim 26, comprising a plurality of said mating members each locatedat relatively different locations on said foot.
 28. The instrument ofclaim 25, wherein said shaft is flexible in a first configuration, andrigid in a second configuration.
 29. The instrument of claim 26, whereinsaid foot comprises a longitudinal axis, wherein said attachment memberand said mating member, when attached, maintain a distal tip of saidblower at a non-parallel angle relative to said longitudinal axis, whileallowing rotation of said distal tip about an axis perpendicular to saidlongitudinal axis.